Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Cobalt Blue and Kelly Green Desk and Chair

GAH!!  I was getting so good at taking before pictures for you all that I got cocky.  And you know what happens when you get cocky?  You screw it all up.  So my streak is broken and I don’t have a hideous and out-moded before pic to show you.  :(  Will you forgive me just this once?  Well, I think you might when you see how rad the after is anyways.  ;)

I picked up a little 70’s brown petite sewing desk and equally petite chair with fuzzy, disgusting 70’s upholstery from my favorite thrift store for a pittance.  It had the hole in the top that sewing desks always have (you know the one?)  Do you have a good mental picture since I can’t provide an actual one.  ;)

Now, there’s something about the pending spring that’s been giving me the fever to paint some BOLD colors, and this set is certainly no exception.  I pulled from my well-spring of furniture inspiration on Pinterest, where I’m LOVING a nice, strong cobalt, either clean edgey and modern, or distressed.

Gorgeous!!  Am I right?

I was especially inspired by the combination of the bright green foliage with the cobalt dresser in that last picture by the very talented Stilstskin Studios.

After getting a piece of 1/4 inch mdf cut at Home Depot to fit the desk top and gluing it to the top of the desk to cover and disguise the fact that it was a sewing desk, I used a water-based enamel I got at Ace Hardware for the bold, clean, glossy cobalt.  I switched out the gross, brown upholstery for a fresh, springy kelly green damask print.  And I’m in deep smit.  Or, that is, I’m smitten.  ;)

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So fun!  Donchathink?

I promise, I’ll get a before pic next time.  It makes the after so much more dramatic when you can see the gross befores, I know.

P.S. – Some people have asked me about my HVLP sprayer from Rockler that I got for Christmas.  I still love it to little bitty pieces!!  And it’s ON SALE right now for $30 off the original price, so if you’ve been waiting for a sale to get your own, now’s your chance!

 

Linking to:

Primitive & Proper, Domestically Speaking, 5 days…5 ways, The Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring, Finding Fabulous, Miss Mustard Seed

19 comments:

  1. These all look fantastic! Your blog has totally inspired me to get to work and suddenly i'm looking at all the old hand me down furniture around the house and seeing the amazing new form it could take!

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  2. What a fun color! I've been on a bold teal quick, but don't have any room for extra furniture. Such a shame. Love how yours turned out, and I can totally picture the horrendous before picture! :)

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  3. i just ordered federal blue milk paint and i can't wait to get it as i think it is more on the side of cobalt and i love that color, too! your desk looks awesome- so dramatic and chic!

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  4. So beautiful! Love the color, the hardware and the fabric too!

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  5. Ooh - so pretty and dramatic! LOVE!

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  6. Oh yes that color is fabulous. I love blue in any shade and this one is perfect for spring, or anytime!

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  7. Wow. I so love that color. I would love to do something in cobalt. Question: did you spray this, roll it or brush it?? And did you poly it or just leave it as is? Thanks Nice job.

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    1. Beth, I sprayed it with my HVLP sprayer, which I mention at the end of the post. No top coat on this one. It's a high gloss enamel, so it should hold up like no one's business. :)

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  8. beautiful color and wonderful job, as always! you really inspire me! i can't believe what ur able to do w/ ur biz while have 4 little ones! amazing!

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  9. That is a gorgeous set - wow! I don't know if I would have the guts to try something so bold a color but after this, I am inspired! LOVE it!!
    I would really like if you stopped by my Creative Inspirations party opening up tonight at 10 pm EST to link this great project up! I would loove to have you there!
    Stacey of Embracing Change
    http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

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  10. BEAUTIFUL color! I don't know what I'll use it on, but I'm so getting it for...something. All of that stuff turned out gorgeous.

    -Alison

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  11. Lovely! I love the color and the green pattern on the chair.

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  12. Ann Marie, I couldn't find your e-mail address! I have a question about your Rockler spray system. I'm thinking of getting one, but I haven't done any research! Is this system big enough to tackle larger projects? I need to paint our deck this Spring, and I thought maybe a sprayer system would help me get it done faster.

    I'd love to hear your thoughts.

    Jane
    Finding Fabulous
    www.findingfabulousblog.com

    janeabernard@aol.com

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    1. Jane, We actually used it on our deck refinish and it worked great. We only used it om the vertical parts of the railing, but it sped that process up TREMENDOUSLY! In fact I can't imagine painting all those spindles by hand! And it's not like a compressor that uses then needs to fill up its air. It's constantly producing its own air, so you won't run out on large projects. Good luck!

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  13. I love this! Perhaps I should add the color cobalt to my collection :)

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  14. Absolutely love this!! I'm new to your blog and I went back to the veeeeeery beginning when I started! (Is that weird?!) This is MY FAVORITE!!! Sooo amazing. I love the fabric you paired with the set also. It goes together perfectly!

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  15. Cobalt blue and kelly green desk is shown on the post here. Have a look at it

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We love lovely gals showin' some love!